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11.05.2008

tiered skirt, aka the twirl skirt

I have received a few requests to explain how to a simple tiered twirl skirt. The patchwork skirt uses the same method, but here are the distilled instructions for a tiered skirt for you.A tiered skirt is constructed very simply: a tier is created with a rectangular piece of fabric, sewn into a loop. The tier below it is larger, typically 1.5x, which gives it the twirly factor. The tiers are sewn together with the top portion of the lower tier gathered into the same length as the tier above. You can have as many tiers as you have the fortitude to gather for.

Now, a specific project: To make a three tiered skirt with an elastic band waist (1” elastic), begin with a hip measurement and the desired length. Your fabric choice is up to you, keeping in mind that lighter fabrics are much easier to gather. If your materials are of different weights, use the heaviest ones on top. You can go with one type of fabric for all or mix it up with different patterns.

To determine the dimension of the first tier, add some inches to the hip measurement (suggest about 4” for a child, 6” for an adult) so that the skirt can be slipped up over the hips. Do not forget to add seam allowances on all sides (this goes for all tiers!) This is the long side of the rectangle for your first tier (measurement A on diagram below).

The short side of your first tier will be the desired length of your skirt (from waist down to wherever) divided by 3, plus 2.5” (for the elastic waistband casing). Cut the fabric to this size and then form into loop by sewing the two short sides together.

The second tier down will be your measurement A x 1.5 by the desired length divided by 3, which we will call measurement B. It is quite likely that you will have to piece this rectangular loop together in order to make up the measurement B length as most fabric does not come wide enough.

The third tier will be your measurement B x 1.5 by the desired length divided by 3.With all of your fabric cut and sewn into loops, take the second tier loop and gather in the top edge to be equal in length to measurement A. Sew the gathered edge onto the bottom of the first tier.

Gather the top edge of your third tier to be equal in length to measurement B. Sew the gathered edge onto the bottom of the second tier.To make the waistband casing, fold the top of the first tier in about 1 3/8” (finish the raw edge with a zig zag stitch, serger, or a double fold). Sew close to the finished edge (about 1 ¼” from folded edge) almost all the way around – leave enough space to insert an elastic, cut to a comfortable length. Sew edges of elastic together to make a loop. Finish sewing casing closed.

Hem the bottom edge of the skirt.

Once you have the method down, tiered skirts can be altered, embellished, and redesigned to create many different styles. Have fun with it, and don't forget to twirl.

**************************************************************This is a free tutorial and I encourage you to use the information in any way you need to (check the disclaimer at the bottom of the page). If it works for you, please consider supporting my etsy shop by purchasing a Little Print Design pattern or toss a dollar or two in my paypal to show appreciation and to encourage me to offer up even more quality patterns and tutorials.

Long-time lurker. :) Now, I have to come out of hiding to ditto the comment about the top picture. Please please please share instructions for the dress. :) I have 4 girls in need of that exact dress...and maybe one for me if I can figure it out. hehe

lori dupre jackson, The top dress is just a regular dress pattern bodice top (I think it's a new look pattern) with a twirl skirt sewn to it and a sash added. oh, the buttons were additions too. Very simple. Just find a regular dress pattern that uses a separate pieces for the bodice and skirt and substitute a multi-tiered skirt on the bottom.

here's another pic of the dress if it helps:http://vegbee-peripheralvision.blogspot.com/2008/03/tiered-twirl-dress.html

Thanks for these great tutes. I just started sewing a few months ago and my main interest is sewing for kids. I bought some sewing for dummies patters and they don't even simplify it like you do. check out my site I will be posting some of my newly finished projects soon.http://allthingscolorful.blogspot.com/

I have recently started sewing clothes for my daughter, and I love, love, love your site! I just made the twirl skirt for my daughter and it came out so cute! I also made 4 (yes 4) of your corset dresses for her, they all came out so cute too. I am even making one for my cousin's daughter because she loved the ones I made.I just love all your tutorials and will be trying a few more, especially that circle skirt made from button downs... It is so pretty!Thanks again!

I want to thank you for showing me how to make this skirt. I love your site and I hope to see more ideas in the future!!!! P.S. pic of my skirt- http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2005101&l=c4813f8e30&id=1546480865

I saw this tutorial months ago and wanted to make the dress, not just the skirt and so I finally made it this weekend and wanted to let you know that I referenced your site for the how to. Thanks for the info. Here is the link http://craftsredesigned.blogspot.com/2010/03/twirly-spring-dress.html

THANK YOU!! My daughter, 3, loves to twirl. I made her a couple of little pillow case dresses and she wouldn't wear them because they don't TWIRL. This was SOOOOO easy to follow and she is one VERY HAPPY little girl now. I took this pattern and shortened one of the pillow case dresses and attached the skirt to its top and it is oh so cute. Thank you again and keep up the great work.

I just finished making this skirt for my daughter. She loves horses, and anything having to do with cowgirls, so this skirt will be her cowgirl skirt. We added a little fringe to the bottom, and it turned out great. Thank you so much for the easy to follow directions.

Here's something that helps when gathering. You will need string that is heavier than thread; crochet cotton is what I use. Lay a long string of it where the gathering is to go. Zigzag over it using a very wide stitch, and being careful not to catch the string in the stitching. Pull on the string, and your strip will gather beautifully without the frustration of the thread breaking at the very end.

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Thanks for stopping by. I am a person, sewist, dollmaker, homeschooling mom, unconscionable reader and some other things that you probably don't need to worry about. Feel free to leave comments and book recommendations for me and to really get my attention, email me at cdbees[at]hotmail.com.

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This is the area where it usually says "The information on this website is intended for home-use only and not for commercial distribution."

However, since I believe that when I give I should give with both hands, this actually is the area where I tell you to go ahead and use the information on this website in any way that you need to. Good luck to you.

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